My life has recently taken a new
turn and I am deeply into discovering the next phase of my journey. Having
completed over 10 years in an evangelism role, I am now waiting on God to
discern what lies ahead. Interestingly, one of the lectionary readings for next
Sunday is the start of Genesis 12 where Abram, the Father of the Faithful, sets
out on his life-changing journey and, like me, not sure of where God will take
him. The word comes to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household
to the land I will show you’. When we think that Abram was a sprightly 75 years
of age, we may feel a completely new start in life needs to come sooner than
that – not so in God’s mind. Of course, a journey need not simply be
geographical. For Abram it led ultimately to the Promised Land. But a journey
could be taking you to a new way of life, a new set of friends, a new way of
believing and, most of all, a new way of understanding who you are. I read with
interest my wife’s calendar which contains daily reflections. Today’s was ‘In
order to be someone, you must first be yourself’. Do we really know who we are
or are we pressured into being the person that fits into the mould created by
other people, our job or our circumstances?
Colour, variety and balance
At the start
of the retreat day, Liz asked us to reflect on how close we felt to God and
what hinders our relationship with him. Well, we were not short of answers to
reasons why our closeness to God is hindered in this frantic, technological and
materialistic world. Then we reflected on what would make for a better life and
we were asked to draw a picture. My picture was staring me in the face – it was
the display of flowers on the table at the front of the church (see the picture
at the top of this bulletin). For me, the things I desire most in life are colour, variety and balance. My thoughts
went to the ivy we have in our garden at home which, sadly, has taken over one
part of our garden. We now find the crocuses we planted some time back are
struggling to make a show through the ivy leaves. It can be like that in life –
some things take so much time and effort, they choke out the beauty of other
things. Getting a right balance in life is one of the greatest challenges we
face. Variety prevents us from becoming blinkered. Colour is what makes life
beautiful. It’s so easy to get into a rut and finding that life becomes
monochrome – doing the same things day after day in the same way. And, do you
know what – that can even be true of our faith and church life!
Take time to reflect
And so, I
really valued being a part of the day, even though I could only stay until
lunchtime. It certainly made me think and pray more creatively about where God
may be leading me next. In this time of Lent, we are, as Christians, encouraged
to join Jesus in the wilderness, seeking God’s wisdom and direction. That means
setting aside the normal rhythms of life and letting God’s Spirit speak deep
within, revealing what’s wrong and what needs to change. It’s far more than
just giving up chocolate!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Liz Babbs (MEd) is a dynamic keynote speaker, writer & professional performer known for her wit & wisdom & for Communicating Christ Creatively. She’s author of 11 books & 6 CDs, has written for Zondervan, CWR & The Bible Society & performed at the Edinburgh Fringe. Her ministry is endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury & J.John
For more information on Liz Babbs, visit her web site
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